BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Disclosed herein are silicon-containing or silicon-based dielectric films or materials,
and methods and compositions of forming the same.
[0002] The silicon-based dielectric films described herein include, but are not limited
to, non-stoichiometric silicon carbide, amorphous silicon, silicon carbonitride, or
silicon nitride for use in various electronic applications. In certain embodiments,
the dielectric films include other elements besides silicon and carbon. These other
elements may sometimes be intentionally added into the compositional mixture via the
deposition process depending upon the resultant application of the film or desired
end-properties. For example, the element nitrogen (N) may be added to the silicon-based
films to form a carbonitride or silicon nitride film to provide a certain dielectric
performance such as, without limitation, a lower leakage current. Depending upon the
application, however, certain elements in the film may be undesirable even at lower
concentration levels.
[0003] Silicon carbide films are typically deposited using the precursor 1,4-disilabutane
(1,4-DSB).
US Publ. No. 2010/233886 described methods of forming silicon-based films comprising Si, such as, but not
limited to, Si oxide, Si oxycarbide, Si carbide, and combinations thereof, that exhibit
at least one of the following characteristics: low wet etch resistance, a dielectric
constant of 6.0 or below, and/or can withstand a high temperature, rapid thermal anneal
process.
[0004] While the prior art has disclosed the use of 1,4-disilabutane as precursor for chemical
vapor deposition (CVD) of silicon-containing films, such as silicon carbide films
with silicon content higher than 55% according to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(XPS), there is a need to deposit silicon carbide films or materials having a silicon
content less than 55%. It is believed that the reason that the SiC films deposited
from 1,4-disilabutane had a silicon content greater than > 55 % Si was because the
Si was bound to itself forming Si-Si bonds. These Si-Si bonds make the film susceptible
to damage during subsequent process integration steps such as, for example, exposure
to O
2 plasma treatment or ashing. Hence, there is a need in the art to provide alternative
precursors and methods using same to provide silicon containing films where the silicon
content of the film is less than 55 % as measured by XPS. It is also desirable to
have robust films of high density (a density of 2 grams/cubic centimeter (g/cc) or
greater) to withstand further processing steps during integration.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The compositions and methods described herein fulfill one or more of the needs in
the art. Described herein are methods and precursors for forming silicon-based dielectric
materials or films comprising silicon, carbon, optionally nitrogen, and combinations
thereof. In certain embodiments, the silicon-based films are substantially free of
oxygen, or, alternatively, comprise from 0 to 11 atomic weight percent of oxygen as
measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In preferred embodiments the silicon-based
films comprise at least 15 atomic weight percent and less than 55 atomic weight percent
silicon as measured by XPS. In some embodiments, the silicon-based films have the
composition Si
xC
yN
z wherein x is 0 to 55 or 15 to 55, y is 35 to 100 or 35 to 85, and z is 0 to 50 atomic
weight (wt.) percent (%) as measured by XPS. In some embodiments, the silicon-based
films have a composition Si
xC
y wherein x is 0 to 55 or 15 to 55 and y is 35 to 100 or 35 to 85 atomic wt. %. The
silicon-based films described herein contain 55 atomic wt. % of silicon or less as
measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The atomic wt. % of carbon and
optionally nitrogen in the silicon-based films can be tuned by changing deposition
conditions such as temperature, adding a nitrogen source, or combinations thereof
while maintaining 55 atomic wt. % of silicon or less in the material or film.
[0006] In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for forming a silicon-based
film on at least a portion of the surface of a substrate, the method comprising:
providing the substrate in a reactor;
introducing at least one organosilicon precursor compound having one of the following
Formulae A through D into the reactor:


wherein X1 and X2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a halide atom, and an organoamino
group having the formula NR1R2 wherein R1 is selected from a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group and R2 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, a C6 to C10 aryl group, a linear C1 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, a branched C3 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C4 to C10 aryl group and optionally wherein R1 and R2 are linked together to form a ring selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic
ring or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring; R3, R4, and R5 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a methyl (CH3) group; and R6 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group; and
forming the film on the at least a portion of the surface by a deposition process
selected from a group consisting of chemical vapor deposition (CVD), low pressure
chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD),
cyclic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD), plasma enhanced cyclic chemical vapor deposition
(PECCVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition
(PEALD). In some embodiments the silicon-based film comprises from 0 to 50 or 15 to
50 atomic weight percent silicon as measured by XPS. In one embodiment, the deposition
process comprises LPCVD. In another embodiment, the deposition process comprises PECVD.
In yet another embodiment, the deposition process comprises PEALD or PECCVD.
[0007] In another aspect, there is provided a composition for depositing a silicon-based
film; the composition comprising:
at least one organosilicon precursor comprising two silicon atoms selected from the
group consisting of 1-chloro-1,4-disilapentane, 1-chloro-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-dichloro-1,5-disilahexane,
2,6-dichloro-2,6-disilaheptane, 1-dimethylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
1-di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-dimethylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 1-diethylamino-1,5-disilahexane,
1-di-iso-propylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 2-dimethylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-diethylamino-2,5-disilahexane,
2-di-iso-propylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-dimethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-diethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,
2-di-iso-propylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,1,4-bis(dimethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane, 1,4-bis(diethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1,5-bis(dimethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-bis(diethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(dimethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2,5-bis(diethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2,6-bis(dimethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2,6-bis(diethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,1,2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,1,2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1,2,5-trimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-n-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-iso-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-tert-butyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1,2,6-trimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-n-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-iso-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
and 1-tert-butyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane.
[0008] The aspects of the present invention include the following aspects numbered #1 to
#18:
#1. A method for forming a silicon-based film on at least a portion of the surface
of a substrate, the method comprising:
providing at least one surface of the substrate in a reactor;
introducing at least one organosilicon precursor compound having the following Formulae
A through D into the reactor:


wherein X1 and X2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a halide atom, and an organoamino
group having the formula NR1R2 wherein R1 is selected from a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group and R2 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, a C6 to C10 aryl group, a linear C1 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, a branched C3 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C4 to C10 aryl group and optionally wherein R1 and R2 are linked together to form a ring selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic
ring or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring; R3, R4, and R5 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a methyl (CH3) group; and R6 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group; and
forming the silicon-based film on the at least one surface by a deposition process
selected from a group consisting of chemical vapor deposition (CVD), low pressure
chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD),
cyclic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD), plasma enhanced cyclic chemical vapor deposition
(PECCVD, atomic layer deposition (ALD), and plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition
(PEALD) wherein the silicon-based film comprises from about 0 to about 50 atomic weight
percent silicon as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
#2. The method of aspect #1 wherein the forming step is conducted at one or more temperatures
ranging from about 100°C to 650°C.
#3. The method of aspect #1 wherein the silicon-based film is selected from the group
consisting of a silicon carbide film, a silicon nitride film, and a silicon carbonitride
film.
#4. The method of aspect #1 wherein the deposition process is LPCVD.
#5. The method of aspect #1 wherein the deposition process comprises PECVD.
#6. The method of aspect #1 further comprising: providing a nitrogen-containing precursor
and wherein a ratio of the amount of the nitrogen-containing precursor to the amount
of at least one organosilicon precursor ranges from about 0.25 to about 1.
#7. A method for forming a silicon-based film having the formula SixCyNz wherein x is about 0 to about 55, y is about 35 to about 100, and z is about 0 to
about 50 atomic weight (wt.) percent (%) as measured by XPS on at least one surface
of a substrate, the method comprising:
providing at least one surface of the substrate in a reaction chamber;
introducing at least one organosilicon precursor compound having the following Formulae
A through D into the reactor:


wherein X1 and X2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a halide atom, and an organoamino
group having the formula NR1R2 wherein R1 is selected from a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group and R2 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, a C6 to C10 aryl group, a linear C1 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, a branched C3 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C4 to C10 aryl group and optionally wherein R1 and R2 are linked together to form a ring selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic
ring or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring; R3, R4, and R5 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a methyl (CH3) group; and R6 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group; and
optionally providing a nitrogen-containing precursor selected from the group consisting
of ammonia, hydrazine, monoalkylhydrazine, dialkylhydrazine, primary amine, secondary
amine, tertiary amine, and mixture thereof in the reaction chamber; and
forming the silicon-based film on the at least one surface by a deposition process
comprising low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD).
#8. The method of aspect #7 wherein the at least one silicon precursor is 1,4-disilapentane.
#9. The method of aspect #7 wherein the forming step is conducted at one or more temperatures
ranging from about 100°C to 650°C.
#10. The method of aspect #7 wherein the method further comprises providing a nitrogen-containing
precursor and wherein a ratio of the amount of the nitrogen-containing precursor to
the amount of at least one organosilicon precursor ranges from about 0.25 to 20.
#11. The method of aspect #7 wherein the silicon-based film is selected from the group
consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride and silicon carbonitride.
#12. The method of aspect #7 further comprising an annealing step.
#13. A method for forming a silicon-based film on at least one surface of a substrate,
the method comprising:
providing at least one surface of the substrate in a reaction chamber;
introducing at least one organosilicon precursor compound having the following Formulae
A through D into the reactor:


wherein X1 and X2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a halide atom, and an organoamino
group having the formula NR1R2 wherein R1 is selected from a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group and R2 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, a C6 to C10 aryl group, a linear C1 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, a branched C3 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C4 to C10 aryl group and optionally wherein R1 and R2 are linked together to form a ring selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic
ring or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring; R3, R4, and R5 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a methyl (CH3) group; and R6 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group;
optionally providing a nitrogen-containing precursor selected from the group consisting
of ammonia, hydrazine, monoalkylhydrazine, dialkylhydrazine, primary amine, secondary
amine, tertiary amine, and mixture thereof in the reaction chamber; and
forming the silicon-based film on the at least one surface by a deposition process
comprising plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), wherein the non-oxygen
silicon-based film comprise from about 0 to about 50 atomic weight percent silicon
as measured by XPS.
#14. The method of aspect #13 wherein the forming step is conducted at one or more
temperatures ranging from 100°C to 650°C.
#15. A composition for vapor deposition of a silicon-based film; the composition comprising:
at least one organosilicon precursor comprising two silicon atoms selected from the
group consisting of 1-chloro-1,4-disilapentane, 1-chloro-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-dichloro-1,5-disilahexane,
2,6-dichloro-2,6-disilaheptane, 1-dimethylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
1-di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-dimethylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 1-diethylamino-1,5-disilahexane,
1-di-iso-propylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 2-dimethylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-diethylamino-2,5-disilahexane,
2-di-iso-propylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-dimethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-diethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,
2-di-iso-propylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,1,4-bis(dimethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane, 1,4-bis(diethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1,5-bis(dimethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-bis(diethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(dimethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2,5-bis(diethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2,6-bis(dimethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2,6-bis(diethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,1,2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,1,2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclohexane, 1,2,5-trimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-n-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-iso-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-tert-butyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1,2,6-trimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-n-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-iso-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
and 1-tert-butyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane.
#16. A method for depositing a silicon-containing film selected from the group consisting
of silicon carbide, silicon nitride and silicon carbonitride using a deposition process
selected from plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition and plasma enhanced cyclic chemical
vapor deposition, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. placing a substrate into a reactor which is heated to a one or more temperatures
ranging from about 20°C to about 400°C;
- b. introducing into the reactor at least one organosilicon precursor compound having
the following Formulae A through D:


wherein X1 and X2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a halide atom, and an organoamino
group having the formula NR1R2 wherein R1 is selected from a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group and R2 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, a C6 to C10 aryl group, a linear C1 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, a branched C3 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C4 to C10 aryl group and optionally wherein R1 and R2 are linked together to form a ring selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic
ring or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring; R3, R4, and R5 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a methyl (CH3) group; and R6 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group; and
- c. purging the reactor with a purge gas;
- d. providing a plasma containing source into the reactor to at least partially react
with the at least one organosilicon precursor compound and deposit the silicon-containing
film onto the substrates; and
- e. purging the reactor with a purge gas.
wherein the steps b through e are repeated until a desired thickness of the silicon
containing film is obtained.
#17. The method of aspect #16 wherein the plasma containing source is selected from
the group consisting of hydrogen plasma, helium plasma, neon plasma, argon plasma,
xenon plasma, hydrogen/helium plasma, hydrogen/argon plasma, nitrogen plasma, nitrogen/hydrogen,
nitrogen/helium, nitrogen/argon plasma, ammonia plasma, nitrogen/ammonia plasma, ammonia/helium
plasma, ammonia/argon plasma, NF3 plasma, methylamine plasma, dimethylamine plasma, trimethylamine plasma, ethylamine
plasma, diethylamine plasma, trimethylamine plasma, ethylenediamine plasma and mixture
thereof.
#18. The method of aspect #16 wherein the organosilicon precursor is selected form
the group consisting of 1-chloro-1,4-disilapentane, 1-chloro-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-dichloro-1,5-disilahexane,
2,6-dichloro-2,6-disilaheptane, 1-dimethylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
1-di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-dimethylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 1-diethylamino-1,5-disilahexane,
1-di-iso-propylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 2-dimethylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-diethylamino-2,5-disilahexane,
2-di-iso-propylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-dimethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-diethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,
2-di-iso-propylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,1,4-bis(dimethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane, 1,4-bis(diethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1,5-bis(dimethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-bis(diethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(dimethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2,5-bis(diethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2,6-bis(dimethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2,6-bis(diethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,1,2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,1,2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclohexane, 1,2,5-trimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-n-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-iso-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-tert-butyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1,2,6-trimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-n-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-iso-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
and 1-tert-butyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Described herein are silicon-based dielectric films, and methods and compositions
for forming the same. Throughout the description, the term "silicon based film" and
"dielectric film" as used herein are interchangeably and refers to a film comprising
silicon, carbon and optionally nitrogen and hydrogen (which may be present in the
film but not measurable by XPS) selected from the group consisting of stoichiometric
or non-stoichiometric silicon carbide, silicon carbonitride, and mixture thereof.
In certain embodiments, the silicon-based films are oxygen-free or "substantially
free" of oxygen. In these embodiments, the term "substantially free" as used herein
means a film that comprises 2 atomic weight % (at. wt. %) or less, or 1 at. wt. %
or less, or 0.5 at. wt. 5 or less of oxygen as measured by XPS.
[0010] The silicon-based dielectric films exhibit at least one or more of the following
characteristics: relatively lower wet etch rate as compared to thermal silicon oxide
(such as when exposed to dilute HF); lower leakage current; good within wafer uniformity
which uniformity can be obtained by measurement on different areas of the wafers (e.g.
5 point map) and standard deviation calculation; conformality; resistance to gas phase
processes (such as, for example, oxidative plasmas); and combinations thereof. With
regard to the later characteristics, the silicon-based films exhibits relatively little
to no change in properties and film structure compared to thermal silicon oxide. In
addition to the foregoing, the silicon-based films provide one or more of the following
advantages: high thermal stability (e.g. ability to withstand a spike anneal processing
step wherein the subject is subjected to one or more temperatures ranging from about
600 - 1000°C), environmental stability (e.g. exhibiting little change or 10% or less,
5% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less change in refractive index (RI) or other film
properties after 1-24 hour exposure to ambient), adjustable composition including
carbon-rich films (C and/or N doped amorphous silicon-based film with < 50 atomic
% of Si and carbon content is equal or greater that the Si content), and combinations
thereof.
[0011] In one particular embodiment, the silicon-based films described herein exhibit a
low etch rate (or non measurable etch rate), a high density (e.g., having a film density
of 2.0 g/cc or greater), reduced amount of Si-Si bonds (e.g., < 5 % of total bonding
as measured by Raman spectroscopy), and a Si less than 50% atomic wt. % measured by
XPS.
[0012] In integration processing, photoresist stripping is an indispensable step. The photoresist
removal is commonly implemented using an oxygen (O
2) plasma dry ashing step. The properties of the silicon-containing dielectric films
adjacent to the photoresist may be degraded during the O
2 plasma treatment. Common problems that are encountered are one or more of the following:
oxidation of the films, loss of carbon, film shrinkage, film densification, and/or
increased moisture absorption in the film post stripping. These effects can be measured
by one or more of the following: a change in the refractive index (RI) of the film
measured by its value before and after ashing; a decreased carbon content as shown
by the reduction in C at. wt.% in the film as measured by XPS; a higher dielectric
constant (k) value compared to its pre-ashing k value; a higher density measurement
compared to its pre-ashing density measurement; and a lower film thickness post-ashing
compared to its pre-ashing thickness measurement. It is expected that films of high
density (e.g., 2 g/cc or greater) and good Si-C-Si carbide bonding (seen by the peak
at ~ 800 cm-1 in the FTIR spectra) will provide better oxygen ashing resistance.
[0013] The silicon-containing dielectric films described herein exhibit + or - 20% or less,
15% or less, 10% or less, 5% or less, 2% or less change in one or more of the following
characteristics: refractive index, dielectric constant, density, thickness, wet etch
resistance, film thickness, or combinations thereof when comparing the same characteristics
before or after an oxygen ashing processing step, a temperature spike anneal process,
and/or exposure ranging from 1 to 24 hours of ambient air.
[0014] The silicon-containing dielectric films described herein are deposited from compositions
comprising a organosilicon precursor compound comprising at two silicon atoms, at
least one Si-Me group, and an at least one C
2 or C
3 linkage. The C
2 or C
3 linkage is a diradical chain selected from the group consisting of an alkane-1,2-diyl,
an alkane-1,3-diyl. Examples of alkane-1,2-diyl and alkane-1,3-diyl diradical chains
include, but not limited to, ethylene (-CH
2CH
2-), substituted ethylene (-CHMeCH
2-,-CH(Me)CH(Me)-), propylene (-CH
2CH
2CH
2-), and substituted propylene. Examples of the organosilicon compounds include 1,4-disilapentane
("1,4-DSP") and other organosilicon compounds with similar structures. Silicon-based
dielectric films deposited from the precursors described herein have shown to have
unique film properties over other precursors such as 1-4-disilabutane ("1,4-DSB"),
such as being carbon-rich (e.g., have greater than 40 atomic % of C), and the ability
to adjust the Si, C content in silicon carbide films or to tune Si, C, and N content
in the resultant silicon carbonitride film.
[0015] To form dielectric films comprising silicon, carbon, and optionally nitrogen, it
is, in certain embodiments, desirable that the organosilicon precursor is free of
oxygen. It is also desirable, in certain embodiments, that the precursors be reactive
enough to deposit a film at a relatively low temperature (e.g., 600°C or less). Despite
a desire for precursor reactivity, the precursor should also be stable enough to not
degrade or change to any significant extent over time (e.g., less than 1% change per
year). The organosilicon compounds described herein, such as without limitation 1,4-DSP,
with an ethylene or propylene bridge between silicon atoms have special tendency to
cleave the C-Si bonds at high temperature. When one silicon group breaks from the
ethylene bridge, a free radical or a cation is formed on the bridge-head carbon atom.
Another silicon placed on the beta-position provides stabilization to the radical
or cation through hyperconjugation, that is, a filled delta-orbital of Si-C bond donates
electrons to the empty or single occupancy p-orbital. This is also known as beta-silicon
effect. This hyper-conjugated intermediate further decomposes with the breakage of
the second Si-C bond. The net result is elimination of ethylene or propylene bridge
as volatile byproduct, and generation of chemically reactive silicon species some
of which have Si-Me group, consequently reacting with other reactive silicon species
to deposit silicon based films on substrate. Not bound by any theory, the Si-Me can
be incorporated into the resulting silicon based films, thus providing higher carbon
content than comparable films deposited from 1,4-disilabutane which does not have
any Si-Me group.
[0016] In one aspect, the composition for depositing a dielectric film comprising silicon,
carbon, and optionally nitrogen film comprises at least one organosilicon compound
having one of the following Formulae A through D:

In Formulae A-D above, X
1 and X
2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a halide atom, and an organoamino
group having the formula NR
1R
2 wherein R
1 is selected from a linear C
1 to C
10 alkyl group, a branched C
3 to C
10 alkyl group, a cyclic C
3 to C
10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C
3 to C
10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C
3 to C
10 alkynyl group, a C
1 to C
6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C
6 to C
10 aryl group and R
2 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C
1 to C
10 alkyl group, a branched C
3 to C
10 alkyl group, a cyclic C
3 to C
10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C
3 to C
6 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C
3 to C
6 alkynyl group, a C
1 to C
6 dialkylamino group, a C
6 to C
10 aryl group, a linear C
1 to C
6 fluorinated alkyl group, a branched C
3 to C
6 fluorinated alkyl group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C
4 to C
10 aryl group and optionally wherein R
1 and R
2 are linked together to form a ring selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic
ring or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring; R
3, R
4, and R
5 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a methyl (CH
3) group; and R
6 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C
1 to C
10 alkyl group, a branched C
3 to C
10 alkyl group, a cyclic C
3 to C
10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C
3 to C
10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C
3 to C
10 alkynyl group, a C
1 to C
6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C
6 to C
10 aryl group.
[0017] In the formulae described herein and throughout the description, the term "linear
alkyl" denotes a linear functional group having from 1 to 10 or 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
Exemplary linear alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl (Me), ethyl
(Et), propyl (n-Pr), iso-propyl (iso-Pr or
iPr), butyl (n-Bu), isobutyl (
iBu), sec-butyl (
sBu), tert-butyl (
tBu), pentyl, iso-pentyl, tert-pentyl (amyl), hexyl, iso-hexyl, and neo-hexyl. In the
formulae described herein and throughout the description, the term "branched alkyl"
denotes a branched functional group having from 3 to 10 or 3 to 6 carbon atoms. Exemplary
branched alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, iso-propyl (iso-Pr or
iPr), isobutyl (
iBu), sec-butyl (
sBu), tert-butyl (
tBu), iso-pentyl, tert-pentyl (amyl), iso-hexyl, and neo-hexyl.
[0018] In the formulae described herein and throughout the description, the term "cyclic
alkyl" denotes a cyclic functional group having from 3 to 10 or from 4 to 10 carbon
atoms or from 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Exemplary cyclic alkyl groups include, but are
not limited to, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cyclooctyl groups.
[0019] In the formulae described herein and throughout the description, the term "aryl"
(which as used herein encompasses also aralkyl groups) denotes an aromatic cyclic
functional group having from 5 to 12 carbon atoms or from 6 to 10 carbon atoms. Exemplary
aryl groups include, but are not limited to, phenyl, benzyl, chlorobenzyl, tolyl,
and o-xylyl.
[0020] In the formulae described herein and throughout the description, the term "alkenyl
group" denotes a group which has one or more carbon-carbon double bonds and has from
3 to 10 or from 3 to 6 or from 3 to 4 carbon atoms.
[0021] In the formulae described herein and throughout the description, the term "alkynyl
group" denotes a group which has one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds and has from
3 to 10 or from 3 to 6 or from 3 to 4 carbon atoms.
[0022] In the formulae described herein and throughout the description, the term "dialkylamino
group" denotes a group which has two alkyl groups attached to a nitrogen atom and
has from 2 to 10 or from 2 to 6 or from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.
[0023] In the formulae described herein and throughout the description, the term "electron
withdrawing group" as used herein describes an atom or group thereof that acts to
draw electrons away from the Si-N bond. Examples of suitable electron withdrawing
groups or substituents include, but are not limited to, nitriles (CN). In certain
embodiments, electron withdrawing substituent can be adjacent to or proximal to N
in any one of Formulae A-D. Further non-limiting examples of an electron withdrawing
group includes F, Cl, Br, I, CN, NO
2, RSO, and/or RSO
2 wherein R can be a C
1 to C
10 alkyl group such as, but not limited to, a methyl group or another group.
[0024] In the formulae above and through the description, the term "unsaturated" as used
herein means that the functional group, substituent, ring or bridge has one or more
carbon double or triple bonds. An example of an unsaturated ring can be, without limitation,
an aromatic ring such as a phenyl ring. The term "saturated" means that the functional
group, substituent, ring or bridge does not have one or more double or triple bonds.
[0025] In certain embodiments, one or more of the alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group,
dialkylamino group, aryl group, and/or electron withdrawing group may be substituted
or have one or more atoms or group of atoms substituted in place of, for example,
a hydrogen atom. Exemplary substituents include, but are not limited to, oxygen, sulfur,
halogen atoms (e.g., F, Cl, I, or Br), nitrogen, and phosphorous. In other embodiments,
one or more of the alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, dialkylamino aryl group,
and/or electron withdrawing group may be unsubstituted.
[0026] In certain embodiments, R
1 and R
2 are present in the precursor as part of the organomino group NR
1R
2 and are linked to form a ring structure. In these embodiments, R
2 is not a hydrogen atom. For example, in an embodiment where R
1 and R
2 are linked together to form a ring, R
2 has (instead of a hydrogen substituent) a bond linking to R
1. Thus, in the example above R
2 may, for example, be selected from a C
1 to C
10 alkenyl moiety or a linear or branched C
1 to C
10 alkynyl moiety. In these embodiments, the ring structure of the compound can be saturated
such as, for example, a cyclic alkyl ring, or unsaturated, for example, an aryl ring.
Further, in these embodiments, the ring structure can also be substituted or unsubstituted.
In one particular embodiment, the organosilicon compound comprises an aliphatic, substituted
ring such as a heterocyclic functional group having from 5 to 10 carbon atoms and
at least one nitrogen atom. Exemplary organomino groups NR
1R
2 wherein R
1 and R
2 are linked in Formulae A-B to form a ring structure include, but are not limited
to, 2,6-dimethylpiperidino, piperidino, 2-methyl-pyrrolidino, 2,5-dimethyl-pyrrolidino.
In other embodiments, R
1 and R
2 are not linked in Formulae A-B.
[0027] In certain embodiments, the organosilicon precursor compound has Formula A described
herein. Exemplary compounds of these particular embodiments include, but are not limited
to: 1-chloro-1,4-disilapentane, 1,4-dichloro-1,4-disilapentane, 1-dimethylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
1-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-methylethylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-di-n-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
1-di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-sec-butylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
1-tert-butylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-(2,6-dimethylpiperidino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1-piperidino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-(cyclohexyl-iso-propylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1-(n-propyl-iso-propylamino)-1,4-disilapentane, 1,4-bis(dimethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1,4-bis(diethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane, 1,4-bis(methylethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1,4-bis(di-n-propylamino)-1,4-disilapentane, 1,4-bis(di-iso-propylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1,4-bis(iso-propylamino)-1,4-disilapentane, 1,4-bis(sec-butylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,
bis(tert-butylamino)-1,4-disilapentane, 1,4-bis(2,6-dimethylpiperidino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1,4-bis(piperidino)-1,4-disilapentane, 1,4-bis(cyclohexyl-iso-propylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1,4-bis(n-propyl-iso-propylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,2-chloro-2,5-disilahexane, 2,5-dichloro-disilahexane,
2-dimethylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-diethylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-methylethylamino-2,5-disilahexane,
2-di-n-propylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-di-iso-propylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-iso-propylamino-2,5-disilahexane,
2-sec-butylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-tert-butylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-(2,6-dimethylpiperidino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2-piperidino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-(cyclohexyl-iso-propylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2-(n-propyl-iso-propylamino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2,5-bis(dimethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(diethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(methylethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2,5-bis(di-n-propylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(di-iso-propylamino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2,5-bis(iso-propylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(sec-butylamino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2,5-bis(tert-butylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(2,6-dimethylpiperidino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2,5-bis(1-piperidino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(cyclohexyl-iso-propylamino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2,5-bis(n-propyl-iso-propylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, and combinations thereof.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the organosilicon precursor compound has Formula B described
herein. Exemplary compounds of these particular embodiments include, but are not limited
to: 1-chloro-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-dichloro-1,5-disilahexane, 1-dimethylamino-1,5-disilahexane,
1-diethylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 1-methylethylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 1-di-n-propylamino-1,5-disilahexane,
1-di-iso-propylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 1-iso-propylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 1-sec-butylamino-1,5-disilahexane,
1-tert-butylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 1-(2,6-dimethylpiperidino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1-piperidino-1,5-disilahexane,
1-(cyclohexyl-iso-propylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1-(n-propyl-iso-propylamino)-1,5-disilahexane,
1,5-bis(dimethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-bis(diethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-bis(methylethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane,
1,5-bis(di-n-propylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-bis(di-iso-propylamino)-1,5-disilahexane,
1,5-bis(iso-propylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-bis(sec-butylamino)-1,5-disilahexane,
1,5-bis(tert-butylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-bis(2,6-dimethylpiperidino)-1,5-disilahexane,
1,5-bis(1-piperidino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-bis(cyclohexyl-iso-propylamino)-1,5-disilahexane,
1,5-bis(n-propyl-iso-propylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 2-chloro-2,6-disilaheptane, 2,6-dichloro-disilaheptane,
2-dimethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-diethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-methylethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,
2-di-n-propylamino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-di-iso-propylamino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-iso-propylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,
2-sec-butylamino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-tert-butylamino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-(2,6-dimethylpiperidino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2-piperidino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-(cyclohexyl-iso-propylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2-(n-propyl-iso-propylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane, 2,6-bis(dimethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2,6-bis(diethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane, 2,6-bis(methylethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2,6-bis(di-n-propylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane, 2,6-bis(di-iso-propylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2,6-bis(iso-propylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane, 2,6-bis(sec-butylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2,6-bis(tert-butylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane, 2,6-bis(2,6-dimethylpiperidino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2,6-bis(1-piperidino)-2,6-disilaheptane, 2,6-bis(cyclohexyl-iso-propylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2,6-bis(n-propyl-iso-propylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane, and combinations thereof.
[0029] In certain embodiments, the organosilicon precursor compound has Formula C described
herein. Exemplary compounds of these particular embodiments include, but are not limited
to: 1,2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-sec-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1,2,5-trimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-n-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-iso-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-sec-butyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-tert-butyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
and combinations thereof.
[0030] In certain embodiments, the organosilicon precursor compound has Formula D described
herein. Exemplary compounds of these particular embodiments include, but are not limited
to: 2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-sec-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1,2,6-trimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-n-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-iso-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-sec-butyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-tert-butyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
and combinations thereof.
[0031] The method used to form the silicon-containing dielectric films are deposition processes.
Examples of suitable deposition processes for the method disclosed herein include,
but are not limited to, cyclic CVD (CCVD), thermal chemical vapor deposition, plasma
enhanced chemical vapor deposition ("PECVD"), high density PECVD, photon assisted
CVD, plasma-photon assisted ("PPECVD"), cryogenic chemical vapor deposition, chemical
assisted vapor deposition, hot-filament chemical vapor deposition, CVD of a liquid
polymer precursor, deposition from supercritical fluids, and low energy CVD (LECVD).
In certain embodiments, the films are deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD),
plasma enhanced ALD (PEALD) or plasma enhanced cyclic CVD (PECCVD) process. As used
herein, the term "chemical vapor deposition processes" refers to any process wherein
a substrate is exposed to one or more volatile precursors, which react and/or decompose
on the substrate surface to produce the desired deposition. As used herein, the term
"atomic layer deposition process" refers to a self-limiting (e.g., the amount of film
material deposited in each reaction cycle is constant), sequential surface chemistry
that deposits films of materials onto substrates of varying compositions. Although
the precursors, reagents and sources used herein may be sometimes described as "gaseous",
it is understood that the precursors can be either liquid or solid which are transported
with or without an inert gas into the reactor via direct vaporization, bubbling or
sublimation. In some case, the vaporized precursors can pass through a plasma generator.
In one aspect, the deposition process comprises LPCVD. In another aspect, the deposition
process comprises PECVD. The term "reactor" as used herein, includes without limitation,
reaction chamber or deposition chamber.
[0032] In certain embodiments, the method disclosed herein avoids pre-reaction of the precursors
by using ALD or CVD methods that separate the precursors prior to and/or during the
introduction to the reactor. In this connection, deposition techniques such as ALD
or CVD processes are used to deposit the silicon-containing film. In one embodiment,
the film is deposited via an ALD process by exposing the substrate surface alternatively
to the one or more silicon-containing precursor, oxygen-containing source, nitrogen-containing
source, or other precursor or reagent. Film growth proceeds by self-limiting control
of surface reaction, the pulse length of each precursor or reagent, and the deposition
temperature. However, once the surface of the substrate is saturated, the film growth
ceases.
[0033] Depending upon the deposition method, in certain embodiments, the one or more silicon-based
precursors may be introduced into the reactor at a predetermined molar volume, or
from 0.1 to 1000 micromoles. In this or other embodiments, the silicon-based precursor
may be introduced into the reactor for a predetermined time period, or from 0.001
to 500 seconds.
[0034] The deposition methods disclosed herein may involve one or more purge gases. The
purge gas, which is used to purge away unconsumed reactants and/or reaction byproducts,
is an inert gas that does not react with the precursors. Exemplary inert gases include,
but are not limited to, Ar, N
2, He, neon, H
2 and mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, a purge gas such as Ar is supplied
into the reactor at a flow rate ranging from 10 to 2000 sccm for 0.1 to 1000 seconds,
thereby purging the unreacted material and any byproduct that may remain in the reactor.
[0035] In certain embodiments, the organosilicon precursor is introduced neat, or without
additional reactants or carrier gas, under certain deposition conditions to form a
solid. In this or other embodiments, a flow of argon, nitrogen, and/or other gas may
be employed as a carrier gas to help deliver the vapor of the at least one silicon-based
precursor to the reaction chamber during the precursor pulsing.
[0036] The at least one silicon precursors may be delivered to the reaction chamber such
as a CVD or ALD reactor in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, a liquid delivery
system may be utilized. In an alternative embodiment, a combined liquid delivery and
flash vaporization process unit may be employed, such as, for example, the turbo vaporizer
manufactured by MSP Corporation of Shoreview, MN, to enable low volatility materials
to be volumetrically delivered, which leads to reproducible transport and deposition
without thermal decomposition of the precursor. In liquid delivery formulations, the
precursors described herein may be delivered in neat liquid form, or alternatively,
may be employed in solvent formulations or compositions comprising same. Thus, in
certain embodiments the precursor formulations may include solvent component(s) of
suitable character as may be desirable and advantageous in a given end use application
to form a film on a substrate.
[0037] The deposition temperature in the reaction chamber ranges from 100°C to 700°C. Exemplary
deposition temperatures include one or more of the following endpoints: 100°C, 150°C,
200°C, 250°C, 300°C, 350°C, 400°C, 450°C, 500°C, 550°C, 600°C, 650°C and 700°C. Examples
of suitable ranges of deposition temperature(s) include without limitation, 100°C
to 400°C, 200° to 450°C, or 300° to 600°C.
[0038] In certain embodiments, the pressure during the deposition process within the reaction
chamber ranges from 0.5 to 10 Torr, or from 0.5 to 2 Torr, or from 0.5 to 5 Torr.
For a PECVD deposition process, the pressure during the deposition process may range
from 2 to 6 Torr. For a LPCVD deposition process, the pressure during the deposition
process may range from 0.25 to 1.25 Torr or 10 Torr.
[0039] Energy is applied to the at least one of the precursor, other non-oxygen sources,
reducing agent, other precursors or combination thereof to induce reaction and to
form the silicon-based film or coating on the substrate. Such energy can be provided
by, but not limited to, thermal, plasma, pulsed plasma, helicon plasma, high density
plasma, inductively coupled plasma, X-ray, e-beam, photon, and remote plasma methods.
In certain embodiments, a secondary RF frequency source can be used to modify the
plasma characteristics at the substrate surface. In embodiments wherein the deposition
involves plasma, the plasma-generated process may comprise a direct plasma-generated
process in which plasma is directly generated in the reactor, or alternatively a remote
plasma-generated process in which plasma is generated outside of the reactor and supplied
into the reactor.
[0040] In a typical ALD, PEALD, CVD or PECCVD process, a substrate such as a silicon oxide
substrate is heated on a heater stage in a reaction chamber that is exposed to the
precursor initially to allow the complex to chemically adsorb onto the surface of
the substrate.
[0041] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for forming a silicon-based film on
at least a portion of the surface of a substrate, the method comprising:
providing the substrate in a reactor;
introducing at least one organosilicon precursor compound having one of the following
Formulae A through D into the reactor:


wherein X1 and X2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a halide atom, and an organoamino
group having the formula NR1R2 wherein R1 is selected from a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group and R2 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, a C6 to C10 aryl group, a linear C1 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, a branched C3 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C4 to C10 aryl group and optionally wherein R1 and R2 are linked together to form a ring selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic
ring or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring; R3, R4, and R5 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a methyl (CH3) group; and R6 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group; and
forming the film on the at least a portion of the surface by a deposition process
selected from a group consisting of chemical vapor deposition (CVD), low pressure
chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD),
cyclic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD), plasma enhanced cyclic chemical vapor deposition
(PECCVD, atomic layer deposition (ALD), and plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition
(PEALD) wherein the silicon-based film comprises from 0 to 50 atomic weight percent
silicon as measured by XPS. In one aspect, the deposition process comprises LPCVD.
In another aspect, the deposition process comprises PECVD.
[0042] In another embodiment, there is provided a method for forming a silicon-based film
having the formula Si
xC
yN
z wherein x is 0 to 55, y is 35 to 100, and z is 0 to 50 atomic weight (wt.) percent
(%) as measured by XPS on at least one surface of a substrate, the method comprising:
providing at least one surface of the substrate in a reaction chamber;
introducing at least one organosilicon precursor compound having the following having
one of the following Formulae A through D into the reactor:


wherein X1 and X2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a halide atom, and an organoamino
group having the formula NR1R2 wherein R1 is selected from a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group and R2 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, a C6 to C10 aryl group, a linear C1 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, a branched C3 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C4 to C10 aryl group and optionally wherein R1 and R2 are linked together to form a ring selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic
ring or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring; R3, R4, and R5 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a methyl (CH3) group; and R6 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group; and
optionally introducing a nitrogen-containing precursor selected from the group consisting
of ammonia, hydrazine, monoalkylhydrazine, dialkylhydrazine, primary amine, secondary
amine, tertiary amine, and mixture thereof in the reaction chamber;
optionally introducing a carbon-containing precursor selected from the group consisting
of ethylene, propylene, acetylene, propyne, cyclohexane, cyclooctane and mixture thereof
in the reaction chamber; and
forming the silicon-based film on the at least one surface by a deposition process
comprising low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). In certain embodiments,
the LPCVD deposition is conducted at one or more temperatures ranging from 200 to
600°C. In these or other embodiments, the atomic wt. % of carbon and nitrogen in the
silicon-based films can be adjusted by changing the LPCVD deposition conditions such
as temperature, adding a nitrogen-containing precursor, or combinations thereof.
[0043] In yet another embodiment of the method described herein, in which a silicon-containing
film selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride and silicon
carbonitride is formed, the method comprises:
- a. placing a substrate into a reactor which is heated to a one or more temperatures
ranging from ambient temperature to 700°C;
- b. introducing into the reactor at least one organosilicon precursor compound having
the following having one of the following Formulae A through D:


wherein X1 and X2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a halide atom, and an organoamino
group having the formula NR1R2 wherein R1 is selected from a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group and R2 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, a C6 to C10 aryl group, a linear C1 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, a branched C3 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C4 to C10 aryl group and optionally wherein R1 and R2 are linked together to form a ring selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic
ring or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring; and substituents R3, R4, and R5 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a methyl (CH3) group; and R6 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group; and
- c. purging the reactor with a purge gas;
- d. providing a plasma containing source into the reactor to at least partially react
with the at least one organosilicon precursor compound and deposit the silicon-containing
film onto the substrates; and
- e. purging the reactor with a purge gas.
wherein the steps b through e are repeated until a desired thickness of the silicon
containing film is obtained. In some embodiments, the plasma containing source may
be introduced into the reactor in the form of at least one nitrogen source and/or
may be present incidentally in the other precursors used in the deposition process.
[0044] In the method described above, steps b to e defines one cycle and the cycle(s) can
be repeated until the desired thickness of a film is obtained. The thickness of the
film ranges from 0.1 Å to 1000 Å, or from 0.1 Å to 100 Å, or from 0.1 Å to 10 Å.
[0045] In certain embodiments, the silicon containing dielectric film comprises nitrogen.
Suitable nitrogen-containing source gases may include, for example, ammonia, hydrazine,
monoalkylhydrazine, dialkylhydrazine, primary amine, secondary amine, tertiary amine,
nitrogen plasma, nitrogen/hydrogen, nitrogen/helium, nitrogen/argon plasma, ammonia
plasma, nitrogen/ammonia plasma, ammonia/helium plasma, ammonia/argon plasma, ammonia/nitrogen
plasma, NF
3 plasma, organoamine plasma, and mixtures thereof. Exemplary monoalkylhydrazine includes,
but not limited, methylhydrazine, tert-butylhydrazine. Exemplary dialkyhydrazine includes,
but not limited, 1,1-dimethylhydrazine. Exemplary primary amine includes, but not
limited, methylamine, ethylamine, iso-propylamine, and tert-butylamine. Exemplary
secondary amine includes, but not limited, dimethylamine, diethylamine, and di-iso-propylamine.
Exemplary tertiary amine includes, but not limited, trimethylamine, triethylamine,
and pyridine. In one particular embodiment, the nitrogen containing source does not
have hydrogen to avoid introducing more hydrogen into the final silicon nitride and
is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen plasma, nitrogen/helium, nitrogen/argon
plasma, and combinations thereof.
[0046] The carbon-containing precursors can be selected from the group consisting of methane,
ethane, acetylene, ethylene, propane, propylene, propyne, butane, butylene, butadiene,
phenylacetylene, cyclohydrocarbon such as cyclopentane, cyclohexane.
[0047] In other embodiments, the plasma is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen
plasma, helium plasma, neon plasma, argon plasma, xenon plasma, hydrogen/helium plasma,
hydrogen/argon plasma and mixtures thereof. For deposition of silicon carbonitride,
the nitrogen containing source can further comprise carbon and is selected from the
group consisting of organoamine plasma such as methylamine plasma, dimethylamine plasma,
trimethylamine plasma, ethylamine plasma, diethylamine plasma, trimethylamine plasma,
and ethylenediamine plasma.
[0048] It is understood that the steps of the methods described herein may be performed
in a variety of orders, may be performed sequentially or concurrently (e.g., during
at least a portion of another step), and any combination thereof. The respective step
of supplying the precursors and the other source gases (nitrogen containing source
carbon containing source may be performed by varying the duration of the time for
supplying them to change the stoichiometric composition of the resulting silicon-based
film.
[0049] For multi-component silicon-based films, at least one of other precursors such as
silicon-based precursors, nitrogen-containing precursors, reducing agents, or other
reagents can be alternately introduced into the reactor chamber.
[0050] In certain embodiments, the resultant silicon-containing films or coatings can be
exposed to a post-deposition treatment such as, but not limited to, a plasma treatment,
chemical treatment, ultraviolet light exposure, electron beam exposure, thermal, and/or
other treatments to affect one or more properties of the film. In one particular embodiment,
the silicon-based film is subjected at a thermal anneal at one or more temperatures
ranging from 500 to 1000°C. In certain embodiments, the silicon-containing films described
herein have a dielectric constant of 10 or less, 9 or less, 7 or less, 6 or less,
or 5 or less. However, it is envisioned that films having other dielectric constants
(e.g., higher or lower) can be formed depending upon the desired end-use of the film.
An example of the silicon containing or silicon-containing film that is formed using
the organosilicon precursors and methods described herein has the formulation Si
xC
yN
z wherein Si ranges from 51% to 100% or 55% to 85%; C ranges from 0% to 50% or from
5% to 25%; N ranges from 0% to 50% or from 0% to 25% atomic percent weight % wherein
x+y+z = 100 atomic weight percent, as determined for example, by XPS or other means.
[0051] In yet another aspect, there is described a vessel used to store and deliver the
organosilicon precursor compound having Formulae A through D described herein. In
one particular embodiment, the vessel comprises at least one pressurizable vessel
(preferably of stainless steel) fitted with the proper valves and fittings to allow
the delivery of the at least one organosilicon precursor to the reactor for a CVD,
a LPCVD or an ALD process. In this or other embodiments, the at least one organosilicon
precursor having at least two SiH
3 groups is provided in a pressurizable vessel comprised of stainless steel and the
purity of the precursor is 98% by weight or greater or 99.5% or greater which is suitable
for the majority of semiconductor applications. In certain embodiments, such vessels
can also have means for mixing the at least one organosilicon precursor with one or
more additional precursor if desired. In these or other embodiments, the contents
of the vessel(s) can be premixed with an additional precursor. Alternatively, the
at least one organosilicon precursor and/or other precursor can be maintained in separate
vessels or in a single vessel having separation means for maintaining the organoaminosilane
precursor and other precursor separate during storage.
[0052] For those embodiments wherein the at least one organosilicon precursor(s) is used
in a composition comprising a solvent and an at least one organosilicon precursor
described herein, the solvent or mixture thereof selected does not react with the
silicon precursor. The amount of solvent by weight percentage in the composition ranges
from 0.5% by weight to 99.5% or from 10% by weight to 75%. In this or other embodiments,
the solvent has a boiling point (b.p.) similar to the b.p. of the at least one organosilicon
or the difference between the b.p. of the solvent and the b.p. of the at least one
organosilicon precursor is 40°C or less, 30°C or less, or20°C or less, or 10°C or
less. Alternatively, the difference between the boiling points ranges from any one
or more of the following end-points: 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40°C. Examples of suitable
ranges of b.p. difference include without limitation, 0 to 40°C, 20° to 30°C, or 10°
to 30°C. Examples of suitable solvents in the compositions include, but are not limited
to, an ether (such as 1,4-dioxane, dibutyl ether), a tertiary amine (such as pyridine,
1-methylpiperidine, 1-ethylpiperidine, N,N'-Dimethylpiperazine, N,N,N',N'-Tetramethylethylenediamine),
a nitrile (such as benzonitrile), an alkane (such as octane, nonane, dodecane, ethylcyclohexane),
an aromatic hydrocarbon (such as toluene, mesitylene), a tertiary aminoether (such
as bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether), or mixtures thereof.
[0053] As previously mentioned, the purity level of the at least one organosilicon precursor(s)
is sufficiently high enough to be acceptable for reliable semiconductor manufacturing.
In certain embodiments, the at least one organosilicon described herein comprise less
than 2% by weight, or less than 1% by weight, or less than 0.5% by weight of one or
more of the following impurities: free amines, free halides or halogen ions, and higher
molecular weight species. Higher purity levels of the organosilicon precursor described
herein can be obtained through one or more of the following processes: purification,
adsorption, and/or distillation. The impurities of the organosilicon precursors having
at least two SiH
3 groups can be from the raw materials used, solvent used, side-reaction, or by-products.
For examples, 1,4-DSP can be prepared via either reduction of 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexachlorodisilabutane
or 1,4-alkoxydisilabutane in presence of metal hydride or lithium aluminum tetrahydride
in a solvent. In certain embodiments, oxygen-containing solvents such as tetrahydrofuran,
gylimes or any other by-products, have to be removed via purification process to eliminate
any potential oxygen incorporation into the resulting silicon-based films. In some
case, the by-products can be organosilicon compounds which can be used as dopant to
deposit silicon-based films.
[0054] The films described herein may be suitable for use as passivation layers or sacrificial
layers, such as without limitation, etch stop or hermetic barriers. The films described
herein can also be used in solid state electronic devices such as logic, memory, light
emitting diodes (LEDs), devices planar, patterned, computer chips, optical devices,
magnetic information storages, coatings on a supporting material or substrate, microelectromechanical
systems (MEMS), nanoelectromechanical systems, thin film transistor (TFT), and liquid
crystal displays (LCD).
[0055] As mentioned previously, the method described herein may be used to deposit a silicon-containing
film on at least a portion of a substrate. Examples of suitable substrates include
but are not limited to, silicon, SiO
2, Si
3N
4, OSG, FSG, silicon carbide, hydrogenated silicon carbide, silicon nitride, hydrogenated
silicon nitride, silicon carbonitride, hydrogenated silicon carbonitride, boronitride,
antireflective coatings, photoresists, a flexible substrate, organic polymers, porous
organic and inorganic materials, metals such as copper and aluminum, and diffusion
barrier layers such as but not limited to TiN, Ti(C)N, TaN, Ta(C)N, Ta, W, or WN.
The films are compatible with a variety of subsequent processing steps such as, for
example, chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) and anisotropic etching processes.
[0056] The following examples illustrate the method for preparing organosilicon precursors
selected from Formulae A-D as well as depositing silicon-containing films described
herein and are not intended to limit it in any way.
Working Examples
Example 1. Synthesis of 1-chloro-1,4-disilapentane, 4-chloro-1,4-disilapentane, and
1,4-dichloro-1,4-disilapentane.
[0057] The reagents 1,4-disilapentane (0.50 g, 4.8 mmol) and tert-butyl chloride (0.25 g,
2.7 mmol) were combined in the presence of FeCl
3 catalyst (less than 0.001 g). After stirring overnight, the reaction mixture was
found to contain the following products: 1-chloro-1,4-disilapentane, 4-chloro-1,4-disilapentane,
and 1,4-dichloro-1,4-disilapentane among other products by Gas Chromatograph - Mass
Spectroscopy (GC-MS) (see Table 1 for mass spectral data).
Example 2. Synthesis of 1-dimethylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 4-dimethylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
and 1,4-bis(dimethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane.
[0058] A solution of LiNMe2 (0.15 g, 2.9 mmol) in THF (2 mL) was quickly added to 1,4-disilapentane
(0.30 g, 2.9 mmol) and stirred overnight. The resulting light grey slurry was filtered
and the colorless filtrate was found to contain 1-dimethylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
4-dimethylamino-1,4-disilapentane, and 1,4-bis(dimethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane as
major products by GC-MS (see Table 1 for mass spectral data).
Example 3. Synthesis of 1-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 4-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
and 1,4-bis(diethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane.
[0059] The reagents 1,4-disilapentane (0.22 g, 2.1 mmol) and diethylamine (0.05 g, 0.68
mmol) were combined in the presence of Ca[N(SiMe
3)
2]
2 catalyst (0.01 g, 0.03 mmol). Immediate bubbling was observed. After 4 hours, the
reaction solution was probed by GC-MS and found to contain 1-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane
and 4-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane as major products and 1,4-bis(diethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane
as a minor product (see Table 1 for mass spectral data).
Example 4. Synthesis of 1-di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane and 4-di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane.
[0060] The reagents 1,4-disilapentane (0.16 g, 1.5 mmol) and N-iso-propylidene-iso-propylamine
(0.05 g, 0.50 mmol) were combined and added to a stirred mixture of (Ph
3P)
3RhCl catalyst (0.02 g, 0.02 mmol) in THF (1 mL). After stirring the reaction overnight,
resulting pale orange solution was probed by GC-MS and found to contain 1-di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane
and 4-di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane as major products (see Table 1 for mass
spectral data).
Example 5. Synthesis of 1-tert-butylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 4-tert-butylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
and 1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-dislacyclopentane.
[0061] The reagents 1,4-disilapentane (0.50 g, 4.8 mmol) and tert-butylamine (0.35 g, 4.8
mmol) were combined in the presence of Ru
3(CO)
12 catalyst (0.01 g, 0.02 mmol) in THF (1 mL). After stirring the reaction for 3 d,
the resulting solution was probed by GC-MS and found to contain 1-tert-butylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
4-tert-butylamino-1,4-disilapentane, and 1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-dislacyclopentane
(see Table 1 for mass spectral data).
[0062] Additional functionalized organosilicon precursors of Formulae A-D described above
were made via similar fashion as Examples 1-5 and were characterized by mass spectroscopy
(MS). The molecular weight (MW), the structure, and corresponding major MS fragmentation
peaks of each 1,4-disilapentane-based precursor are provided in Table 1 to confirm
their identification.
Table 1. Organosilicon precursors having Formulae A-D described above.
| No. |
Precursor Name |
MW |
Structure |
MS Peaks |
| 1 |
1-chloro-1,4-disilapentane |
138.74 |

|
137, 123, 108, 95, 79, 72, 62, 58 |
| 2 |
4-chloro-1,4-disilapentane |
138.74 |

|
137, 123, 109, 92, 79, 73, 65, 58 |
| 3 |
1,4-dichloro-1,4-disilapentane |
173.18 |

|
171, 157, 144, 129, 107, 92, 79, 63, 58 |
| 4 |
1,4-bis(dimethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane |
190.44 |

|
189, 173, 158, 146, 130, 117, 100,86,74, 59 |
| 5 |
1-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
175.42 |

|
175, 160, 144, 130, 116, 103, 86, 72, 59 |
| 6 |
4-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
175.42 |

|
175, 160, 144, 130, 116, 103, 88, 72, 58 |
| 7 |
1,4-bis(diethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane |
246.55 |

|
246,231, 217,201, 187, 174, 160, 144, 130, 116, 100, 86, 72, 58 |
| 8 |
1 -di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
203.48 |

|
203, 188, 172, 158, 144, 130, 116, 103, 86, 75, 59 |
| 9 |
4-di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
203.48 |

|
203, 188, 172, 158, 144, 130, 116, 103, 88, 75, 59 |
| 10 |
1-tert-butylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
175.42 |

|
175, 160, 144, 118, 103, 88, 75, 57 |
| 11 |
4-tert-butylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
175.42 |

|
175, 160, 144, 116, 103, 86, 75, 57 |
| 12 |
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-dislacyclopentane |
173.41 |

|
172, 158, 142, 128, 114, 100, 86, 71, 59 |
| 13 |
1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-dislacyclopentane |
159.38 |

|
159, 144, 128, 114, 103, 86, 70, 59 |
| 14 |
1-di-n-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
203.48 |

|
203, 174, 158, 144, 130, 116, 103, 75, 59 |
| 15 |
4-di-n-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
203.48 |

|
203, 174, 158, 144, 130, 116, 103, 75, 58 |
| 16 |
1,4-bis(di-n-propylamino)-1,4-disilapentane |
302.65 |

|
302, 273, 260, 229, 202, 188, 174, 158, 130, 116, 100, 86, 72, 58 |
| 17 |
1-di-sec-butylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
231.53 |

|
231, 216, 202, 172, 158, 144, 130, 116, 103, 86, 75, 57 |
| 18 |
4-di-sec-butylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
231.53 |

|
231, 216, 202, 172, 158, 144, 128, 116, 103, 86, 72, 57 |
| 19 |
1-(2,6-dimethylpiperdino)-1,4-disilapentane |
215.49 |

|
215, 200, 184, 168, 156, 144, 130, 116, 103, 86, 75, 55 |
| 20 |
1-(2,6-dimethylpiperdino)-1,4-disilapentane |
215.49 |

|
214, 200, 186, 170, 154, 144, 130, 116, 103, 86, 72, 55 |
| 21 |
1,4-bis(2,6-dimethylpiperidino)-1,4-disilapentane |
326.68 |

|
326, 311, 295, 253, 212, 200, 184, 170, 157, 140, 130, 116, 103, 86, 72, 55 |
| 22 |
1-cylohexyl-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
243.54 |

|
243, 228, 212, 200, 184, 172, 158, 144, 130, 116, 103, 86, 75, 55 |
| 23 |
1-cylohexyl-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
243.54 |

|
243, 228, 200, 172, 158, 144, 130, 116, 103, 86, 75, 55 |
| 24 |
1,4-bis(cyclohexyl-iso-propylamino)-1,4-disilapentane |
382.78 |

|
382, 367, 339, 311, 299, 281, 242, 226, 198, 168, 158, 144, 126, 116, 98, 83, 70,
55 |
| 25 |
1-n-propyl-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane |
203.48 |

|
203, 188, 174, 158, 144, 130, 116, 103, 86, 75, 58 |
Example 6. Low-Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition - LPCVD
[0063] Using a LPCVD furnace manufactured by ATV Inc. of Germany, silicon-based films were
deposited using the precursor 1,4-disilabutane (1,4-DSB) or 1,4-disilapentane (1,4-DSP)
either neat or with one or more reactants and/or diluents were deposited at various
temperatures. The LPCVD reactor is a horizontal hot wall quartz reactor with 3 independent
temperature controlled zones and capable of processing 25 wafers. The precursor (and
reactant or diluent gas, if any) is injected into the chamber on one side. Delivery
of the precursor into the furnace was through vapor draw and used a mass flow controller
(MFC) to meter the vapor flow. Typical flow rate was 20-25 sccm of precursor. Precursor
flows were also physically verified by measuring the volume of liquid consumed after
the first deposition. Reactor is maintained at a fixed pressure during deposition,
1000 mTorr in this case. All the silicon-containing films were deposited onto medium
resistivity (8-12 Ωcm) single crystal silicon wafer substrates. Each deposition consisted
of eight (8) test wafers placed in slots 2, slots 10-15, and slot 23 to represent
a whole batch in large scale production. The remaining slots were occupied by dummy
wafers and baffle wafers (which are not used for measurements). The unreacted material
and any byproducts are pumped out using a vacuum pump.
[0064] The data for each film deposition was summarized in Tables 2 through Table 4. In
the Tables, "ND" means not detected. After the films were deposited, both refractive
index and thickness of the dielectric film were measured using a Rudolph FOCUS Ellipsometer
FE-IVD (Rotating Compensator Ellipsometer) by fitting the data from the film to a
pre-set physical model (e.g., the Lorentz Oscillator model). An SCI Filmtek 2000 SE
reflectometer was also used to verify thickness and RI due to the highly absorbing
nature of these films. Normal incidence, polarized 70 degree reflection, and 70 degree
spectroscopic ellipsometric data is collected and used to calculate thickness and
index of refraction of the measured film.
[0065] Atomic composition data was collected by XPS performed on a PHI 5000VersaProbe Spectrometer
equipped with Multiple Channels Plates (MCD) and a focused Al monochromatic X-ray
source. The low resolution survey scan is performed at 117.4 eV Pass Energy, 1.000
eV/Step and a 50 msec/step dwell time. The high resolution multiplex scans are performed
at 23.50 eV Pass Energy, 0.100 eV/Step and a 100 msec/step dwell time. The analysis
area is 200 microns in diameter with a take-off angle of 45 o. The ion gun setting
is 2kV/2uA/4x4 raster. The data was collected using vendor supplied software; Casa
XPS was used to work up the data using transmission function corrected Area Sensitivity
Factors (ASF). Thermally grown SiO
2 was used as a reference and did not show any C% or N% to the detection limit of the
system.
[0066] All density measurements were accomplished using X-ray reflectivity (XRR). Each sample
was mounted on the vertically-oriented Materials Research Diffractometer (MRD) wafer
holder. XRR was performed using Cu-K radiation as the X-ray source, the automatic
Ni beam attenuator, the copper mirror, and the 4-bounce Ge(311) crystal monochromator
on the incident beam. The incident beam was also masked down to 10 mm so that the
beam footprint would only reflect from the sample. The reflected beam was collimated
using triple-axis optics and detected via the gas ionization proportional count detector
on the reflected beam. Samples with nominal layer thickness < 200 nm were scanned
using low-resolution optics. Samples with nominal layer thickness > 200 nm were scanned
using high-resolution optics. Samples were scanned over the range 0.2000 ≤ 2q ≤ 0.6500
using a step size of 0.0010 and a count time of 1s/step.
[0067] Tables 2 and 3 provide the deposition results for the precursors 1,4-disilabutane
(1,4-DSB) and 1,4-disilapentane (1,4-DSP), respectively. The deposition results provided
in Table 2 were obtained with no reactant being used. As Table 2 shows, good deposition
rates are obtained and the high refractive index (RI) of 3 or greater is indicative
of high silicon content (RI for crystalline silicon carbide is -2.8). Table 3 shows
deposition results using 1,4-disilapentane (1,4-DSP) under similar conditions. Depositions
were done with no reactant; or with N
2 or H
2 as reactants as indicated. Table 3 shows that good deposition rates are obtained
and the refractive index is not indicative of high silicon content.
Table 2 Results from depositions using 1,4-disilabutane (1,4-DSB)
| Temp (° C) |
Precursor |
Pressure (torr) |
Precursor Flow (sccm) |
Reactant |
Dep Rate (Å/min.) |
Refractive Index (632 nm) |
| 500 |
1,4-DSB |
1 |
25 |
None |
6.8 |
3.07 |
| 550 |
1,4-DSB |
1 |
25 |
None |
51 |
3.59 |
Table 3 Results from depositions using 1,4-disilapentane (1,4-DSP)
| Temp. C |
Precursor |
Pressure (torr) |
Precusor Flow (sccm) |
Reactant |
Dep Rate (Å/min.) |
Refractive Index (632 nm) |
| 500 |
1,4-DSP |
1 |
23 |
None |
5.0 |
2.32 |
| 550 |
1,4-DSP |
1 |
21 |
None |
70 |
2.89 |
| 550 |
1,4-DSP |
1 |
21 |
H2 |
75 |
3.04 |
| 550 |
1,4-DSP |
1 |
21 |
N2 |
68 |
3.03 |
[0068] Table 4 shows details of the film properties for depositions using 1,4-DSP. At 550°C,
carbon content of the films was > 38 % and density was about 2.2 g/cc or greater.
The oxygen content in the films could be coming from exposure to ambient air and can
be modulated by addition of reactant or diluents. Silicon content was < 52 % (as measured
by XPS).
Table 4 Results from depositions using 1,4-disilapentane (1,4-DSP)
| Condition |
Temp |
Flow (sccm) |
Reactant |
O% |
C% |
Si% |
Density g/cc |
| 1 |
550 |
21 |
N/A |
7.3 |
44.5 |
48.2 |
2.29 |
| 2 |
550 |
21 |
20 sccm H2 |
5.3 |
46.2 |
48.6 |
2.29 |
| 3 |
550 |
21 |
20 sccm N2 |
5.8 |
42.4 |
51.9 |
2.33 |
| 4 |
550 |
23.3 |
N/A |
10.7 |
40.5 |
48.7 |
2.20 |
| 5 |
500 |
21 |
N/A |
10.8 |
37.2 |
52.1 |
2.16 |
[0069] Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra were measured for all samples
in Table 4. The spectra generally indicated a strong Si-C-Si peak at ~760 cm-1; a
peak at ~1000 cm-1 (assigned to Si-CH
2-Si and also Si-O-Si) and a small peak at ~2100 cm-1 (assigned to Si-H). No other
bonding was seen. Etch rate was measured by dipping the last two samples in Table
3 in a 0.5% HF solution (1:100 ratio of 49% HF: H
2O) for 300 s. No change in film thickness was measured, showing that the films were
resistant to dilute HF etch.
[0070] Selected samples from Example 6 (Table 4, condition 1 and 3) were subject to O
2 ashing treatment. The tool is a PVA TePla MetroLine Etcher M4L Plasma Asher Etcher
(a batch-mode plasma system for etch, strip, clean, and surface treatment). The recipe
was a standard baseline oxygen ashing recipe to remove photoresist.
- Power: 200 W
- He flow: 100 sccm
- O2 flow: 300 sccm
- Pressure: 600 mTorr
- Time: 10 minutes
[0071] Each sample was split into two pieces: one half was treated with the oxygen ash treatment
while the other sample was kept as control. Film properties of all samples were characterized
using x-ray photospectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray reflectivity (XRR). Tables 5 and 6 below
show the results from two films before and after ashing. No measurable change in film
RI was observed. The film thickness showed very minor change, again within experimental
error. Similarly there was no obvious change in XPS composition (O, Si, C %) and density
change was within experimental error.
Table 5: RI and thickness results of 1,4 DSP films pre and post ashing
| Temp |
Flow (sccm) |
Reactant |
Pre ash RI |
Pre-ash thickness (nm) |
Post ash RI |
Post ash thickness (nm) |
| 550 |
21 |
N/A |
2.61 |
124.1 |
2.61 |
122.6 |
| 550 |
21 |
20 sccm N2 |
3.12 |
185.7 |
3.15 |
183.1 |
Table 6: Composition and density results of 1,4 DSP films pre and post ashing. (Composition
was measured after sputtering about 10 nm from surface)
| Temp |
Flow (sccm) |
Reactant |
Pre ash XPS % C |
Pre-ash density (g/cc) |
Post ash XPS % C |
Post ash density (g/cc) |
| 550 |
21 |
N/A |
39.8 |
2.33 |
39.8 |
2.35 |
| 550 |
21 |
20 sccm N2 |
39.2 |
2.33 |
39.6 |
2.34 |
1. A method for forming a silicon-based film on at least a portion of the surface of
a substrate, the method comprising:
providing at least one surface of the substrate in a reactor;
introducing at least one organosilicon precursor compound having one of the following
Formulae A through D into the reactor:


wherein X1 and X2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a halide atom, and an organoamino
group having the formula NR1R2 wherein R1 is selected from a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group and R2 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C6 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, a C6 to C10 aryl group, a linear C1 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, a branched C3 to C6 fluorinated alkyl group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C4 to C10 aryl group and optionally wherein R1 and R2 are linked together to form a ring selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic
ring or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring; R3, R4, and R5 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a methyl group; and R6 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C10 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C10 alkyl group, a cyclic C3 to C10 alkyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkenyl group, a linear or branched C3 to C10 alkynyl group, a C1 to C6 dialkylamino group, an electron withdrawing group, and a C6 to C10 aryl group; and
forming the silicon-based film on the at least one surface by a deposition process
selected from a group consisting of chemical vapor deposition, low pressure chemical
vapor deposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, cyclic chemical vapor
deposition, plasma enhanced cyclic chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition,
and plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the silicon-based film is selected from the group consisting
of a silicon carbide film, a silicon nitride film, and a silicon carbonitride film.
3. The method of any preceding claim, wherein X1 and X2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a chlorine atom, and an organoamino
group having the formula NR1R2 wherein R1 is selected from a linear C1 to C4 alkyl group, a branched C3 or C4 alkyl group, a cyclic C6 alkyl group, and R2 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C4 alkyl group and a branched C3 or C4 alkyl group, and optionally wherein R1 and R2 are linked together to form a ring selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic
ring or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring; R3, R4, and R5 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a methyl group; and R6 is selected from a hydrogen atom, a linear C1 to C4 alkyl group, a branched C3 to C4 alkyl group.
4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the organosilicon precursor is selected
form the group consisting of 1,4-disilapentane, 1-chloro-1,4-disilapentane, 1-chloro-1,5-disilahexane,
1,5-dichloro-1,5-disilahexane, 2,6-dichloro-2,6-disilaheptane, 1-dimethylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
1-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-dimethylamino-1,5-disilahexane,
1-diethylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 1-di-iso-propylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 2-dimethylamino-2,5-disilahexane,
2-diethylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-di-iso-propylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-dimethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,
2-diethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-di-iso-propylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,1,4-bis(dimethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1,4-bis(diethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane, 1,5-bis(dimethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane,
1,5-bis(diethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(dimethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(diethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2,6-bis(dimethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane, 2,6-bis(diethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,1,2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,1,2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1,2,5-trimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-n-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-iso-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-tert-butyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1,2,6-trimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-n-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-iso-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
and 1-tert-butyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane.
5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one silicon precursor is 1,4-disilapentane.
6. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising providing a nitrogen-containing
precursor in the reactor.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the ratio of the amount of the nitrogen-containing
precursor to the amount of the at least one organosilicon precursor ranges from 0.25
to 20 or from 0.25 to 1.
8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the nitrogen-containing precursor is selected
from the group consisting of ammonia, hydrazine, monoalkylhydrazine, dialkylhydrazine,
primary amine, secondary amine, tertiary amine, and mixtures thereof.
9. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the forming step is conducted at one or
more temperatures ranging from 100°C to 650°C.
10. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises an annealing
step.
11. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein:
the silicon-based film comprises from 0 to 50 atomic weight percent silicon as measured
by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; or
the silicon-based film is a non-oxygen silicon-based film comprising from 0 to 50
atomic weight percent silicon as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy;
the silicon-based film has the formula SixCyNz wherein x is 0 to 55, y is 35 to 100, and z is 0 to 50 atomic weight (wt.) percent
(%) as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
12. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the deposition process comprises low pressure
chemical vapor deposition or plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.
13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the deposition process is selected
from plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition and plasma enhanced cyclic chemical vapor
deposition, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
a. placing the substrate into the reactor which is heated to one or more temperatures
ranging from 20°C to 400°C;
b. introducing into the reactor the at least one organosilicon precursor compound
having one of Formulae A through D;
c. purging the reactor with a purge gas;
d. providing a plasma containing source into the reactor to at least partially react
with the at least one organosilicon precursor compound and deposit the silicon-containing
film onto the substrates; and
e. purging the reactor with a purge gas.
wherein the steps b through e are repeated until a desired thickness of the silicon
containing film is obtained.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the plasma containing source is selected from the group
consisting of hydrogen plasma, helium plasma, neon plasma, argon plasma, xenon plasma,
hydrogen/helium plasma, hydrogen/argon plasma, nitrogen plasma, nitrogen/hydrogen,
nitrogen/helium, nitrogen/argon plasma, ammonia plasma, nitrogen/ammonia plasma, ammonia/helium
plasma, ammonia/argon plasma, NF3 plasma, methylamine plasma, dimethylamine plasma, trimethylamine plasma, ethylamine
plasma, diethylamine plasma, trimethylamine plasma, ethylenediamine plasma and mixture
thereof.
15. A composition for vapor deposition of a silicon-based film, the composition comprising:
at least one organosilicon precursor comprising two silicon atoms selected from the
group consisting of 1-chloro-1,4-disilapentane, 1-chloro-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-dichloro-1,5-disilahexane,
2,6-dichloro-2,6-disilaheptane, 1-dimethylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-diethylamino-1,4-disilapentane,
1-di-iso-propylamino-1,4-disilapentane, 1-dimethylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 1-diethylamino-1,5-disilahexane,
1-di-iso-propylamino-1,5-disilahexane, 2-dimethylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-diethylamino-2,5-disilahexane,
2-di-iso-propylamino-2,5-disilahexane, 2-dimethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane, 2-diethylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,
2-di-iso-propylamino-2,6-disilaheptane,1,4-bis(dimethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane, 1,4-bis(diethylamino)-1,4-disilapentane,
1,5-bis(dimethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 1,5-bis(diethylamino)-1,5-disilahexane, 2,5-bis(dimethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane,
2,5-bis(diethylamino)-2,5-disilahexane, 2,6-bis(dimethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,
2,6-bis(diethylamino)-2,6-disilaheptane,1,2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,1,2-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-n-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-iso-propyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1,2,5-trimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-n-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1-iso-propyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane,
1-tert-butyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-aza-2,5-disilacyclopentane, 1,2,6-trimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
1-n-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane, 1-iso-propyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane,
and 1-tert-butyl-2,6-dimethyl-1-aza-2,6-disilacyclohexane.